| Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. Solve the system of equations: \(x + y = 10\) and \(x - y = 2\).
A) \(x = 6, y = 4\)
B) \(x = 4, y = 6\)
C) \(x = 5, y = 5\)
D) \(x = 7, y = 3\)
Correct Answer: \(x = 6, y = 4\)
Rationale: Add the equations to eliminate \(y\): \(2x = 12\), so \(x = 6\). Substitute \(x = 6\) into the first
equation: \(6 + y = 10\), so \(y = 4\).
2. Solve the system using substitution: \(2x + 3y = 12\) and \(x - y = 1\).
A) \(x = 2, y = 1\)
B) \(x = 3, y = 2\)
C) \(x = 4, y = 0\)
D) \(x = 5, y = 4\)
Correct Answer: \(x = 3, y = 2\)
Rationale: From the second equation, \(x = y + 1\). Substitute into the first: \(2(y + 1) + 3y = 12\).
Simplify: \(5y + 2 = 12\), so \(y = 2\). Then \(x = 2 + 1 = 3\).
3. Multiply the matrices: \(A = \begin{bmatrix}1 & 2\\3 & 4\end{bmatrix}\) and \(B = \begin{bmatrix}2 &
0\\1 & 3\end{bmatrix}\). Find \(AB\).
A) \(\begin{bmatrix}4 & 6\\10 & 12\end{bmatrix}\)
B) \(\begin{bmatrix}4 & 6\\7 & 12\end{bmatrix}\)
C) \(\begin{bmatrix}3 & 6\\9 & 12\end{bmatrix}\)
,D) \(\begin{bmatrix}4 & 3\\10 & 12\end{bmatrix}\)
Correct Answer: \(\begin{bmatrix}4 & 6\\10 & 12\end{bmatrix}\)
Rationale: Multiply rows of A by columns of B: Row 1: \((1\cdot2+2\cdot1, 1\cdot0+2\cdot3) = (4, 6)\).
Row 2: \((3\cdot2+4\cdot1, 3\cdot0+4\cdot3) = (10, 12)\).
4. Find the determinant of the matrix \(\begin{bmatrix}3 & 5\\2 & 7\end{bmatrix}\).
A) 11
B) 21
C) 26
D) 31
Correct Answer: 11
Rationale: The determinant of a 2x2 matrix \(\begin{bmatrix}a & b\\c & d\end{bmatrix}\) is \(ad - bc\).
Here, \(3 \cdot 7 - 5 \cdot 2 = 21 - 10 = 11\).
5. Solve the system using elimination: \(3x + 2y = 12\) and \(5x - 2y = 4\).
A) \(x = 2, y = 3\)
B) \(x = 3, y = 2\)
C) \(x = 1, y = 4.5\)
D) \(x = 4, y = 0\)
Correct Answer: \(x = 2, y = 3\)
Rationale: Add the equations to eliminate \(y\): \(8x = 16\), so \(x = 2\). Substitute into \(3(2) + 2y = 12\):
\(6 + 2y = 12\), so \(y = 3\).
6. What is the sum of the first 10 terms of the arithmetic sequence where \(a_1 = 2\) and \(d = 3\)?
, A) 155
B) 110
C) 145
D) 170
Correct Answer: 155
Rationale: Use the sum formula: \(S_n = \frac{n}{2}(2a_1 + (n-1)d)\). \(S_{10} = \frac{10}{2}(2(2) + 9(3)) =
5(4 + 27) = 155\).
7. What is the common ratio of the geometric sequence \(2, 6, 18, 54\)?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 6
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Divide any term by the previous term: \(6/2 = 3\), \(18/6 = 3\), etc. The common ratio is 3.
8. What is the next term in the geometric sequence \(5, -10, 20, -40\)?
A) 60
B) -60
C) 80
D) -80
Correct Answer: 80
Rationale: The common ratio is -2. Multiply the last term by -2: \((-40) \times (-2) = 80\).